Education

PSLE 2018 results: Girl who lost mum to cancer focused on making her proud

November 22, 2018

The annual Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) results day is a time of tension for parents and their kids. But Krystal Chan didn’t have her mother to cheer her on – she lost her mum to colon cancer in April this year.

“I was positive she would fight through, but even though she didn’t, (towards the end) we tried to be there for her as much as possible,” said Krystal, 12, who is from Geylang Methodist School (Primary). Her mother was 50 when she diagnosed in November 2016.

“She still tried to make sure I studied and read my textbooks. She wanted me to be a doctor so I could help people like her.”

Her 52-year-old father, who quit his job as a marine engineer, helped her through the exam period.

Her father Joel Chan, said: “Academics are important but so is character. In the period of her grief, she was crying every night looking for her mum…but she gave me a lot of support.”

Mr Chan left his job in January last year to take care of his wife, and after she died, he continued to be a stay-at-home dad to spend time with Krystal and her older brother Theodore, who is 18 this year.

Geylang Methodist Primary principal Jennifer Choy, 54, spoke to the pupils’ parents before releasing the results, telling them to affirm and encourage their children’s efforts regardless of how they performed.

She said: “These three digits (the results) do not represent a child’s worth…We should look for opportunities to celebrate.”

Students eligible for secondary school received option forms when they collected their results slips.

They will be able to access the online system to submit their secondary school choices from Thursday to next Wednesday afternoon (Nov 28).